Pronunciation

[sboyko]

Why do Americans pronounce "turbine" as "turban" rather than "tur-byne" (as in "whine")?

Of course, there are other differences in pronunciation between Americans and Canadians. Witness "roof" - "rooooof" versus "ruff"

Can you think of any others?

Comments

[rachsoph]

Keep in mind that there are so many different accents in the States also. When I went to college in Northern Iowa, not far from the Minnesota border, many of my college buddies would say "ruff" for that thing on top of a building, while others would say "rooof". Also "rum" instead of "room". And it took me forever to figure out what "minn-errrrr" was. It is, of course, manure, or "man-newer" for others.

While in Iowa, I took on a Midwest accent wherein my "ow" sounds were rounded more into "oh" sounds, for example, "Get Out!" was more like "Get Oat!" Also, the "g"s were dropped off of verbs, and some consonants were softened. Hunting became "huhn-nn".

I have noticed that some of the Jersey transplants refer to H20 as "whut-er". That one always cracks me up.

[ginsu]

In America, "asshole" is pronounced "Bush." In Canada, it's "Harper."

[etantvert]

My mom says "pilla" for "pillow." And that's when I pretend that she's someone else's mom.

[etantvert]

They do? I say "tur-byne."

I could think of lots of differences in pronunciation. "Mazda", "pasta" and "lieutenant" come to mind.

[scadian_fairy]

it's always bee the spellings that got me, but never really paid much mind to how things were pronounced... well, except those Boston people. "er" is pronounced "er" here... not "uh" ;P